First-round WNBA Draft pick Juste Jocyte will not make her debut in the league this season. Jocyte, who was drafted as the No. 5 overall pick by the Golden State Valkyries, announced the news on Instagram.
Jocyte has two Instagram accounts — the first, @jocyteee, shares more personal updates as well as basketball-related posts. The second, @jocyteball, is where the 19-year-old posted this update. "JJ chose to focus on @eurobasketwomen with Lithuania," the Instagram Story message reads. "She will start playing in the WNBA with the Valkyries in 2026."
Though the news might surprise fans who aren't familiar with Jocyte and European hoop, it's not too shocking to those who are. Let's get int it.
EuroBasket will take place from June 18-29
The EuroBasket tournament is a major deal. This year's tournament takes place from June 18-29 and is hosted by four countries — Czechia, Germany, Greece, and Italy. The list of qualified countries includes France, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, Portugal, Great Britain, Lithuania, Switzerland, Croatia, Slovakia, Latvia, Hungary, Belgium, Montenegro, and Slovenia.
The tournament is the biggest in European basketball and earning a spot is a huge accomplishment. Jocyte has been playing professionally since she was 13, and the opportunity to play for her country is something she should be allowed to do. At 19 she is years younger than most WNBA rookies and will have plenty of time to continue her professional career in the United States down the road.
Juste Jocyte isn't the only Valkyries player with a decision to make
EuroBasket could be an even bigger hit for the Valkyries this summer. Besides Jocyte, there are six other members of the team who are expected to represent their countries this summer: Carla Leite, Janelle Salaün, Iliana Rupert, Temi Fagbenle, Julie Vanloo, and Kyara Linskens (France for Leite, Rupert, and Salaün, Great Britain for Fagbenle and Belgium for Vanloo and Linskens).
There are a lot of benefits to signing overseas talent to the WNBA. Players from countries outside of the United States bring their own (often lengthy) experience with high-level basketball and also a different approach and type of basketball IQ to the game. But they also typically come with obligations to their home countries that directly interfere with the WNBA's season.
In the past, players have left their WNBA teams for about two weeks to prepare for EuroBasket at home, and then returned nearly immediately after their teams are no longer in the tournament. No matter what decision the rest of the team makes, the tournament certainly gives the Valkyries the opportunity to get creative with team strategy during this time.
Fans might have to wait a little longer to see Jocyte on the court, but that time will be worth it once she is in the Bay Area — even if that's in 2026.